1st of May 2018
Good evening everyone.
Day one is here.
I woke up early in the morning and left home at half past 8.
Took the motorway and this was supposed to be a straight forward trip. I had already been to the place once before and how difficult could it be to find it again. I also had my wonderful GPS lady who would tell me where to go.
Oh yes, you thought so.
I drove through and looked at the burned trees, the wood in stacks and contemplated on last summer’s fires. It breaks my heart every time I go through the devastation. The houses just ruins and the question is if they will be built again.
Let me tell you for an hour I managed to do what I was supposed to do. I was good and obedient and my GPS was happy.
Then I came to Beijós and everything went awry.
Lady GPS told me I had arrived. I knew I had not. There should be signs. I saw one and drove on. I knew there should be more signs but did not see anything. Drove for about half an hour and came across a beautiful church which I knew had not seen before.
There was no doubt in my mind. I had to turn and start again.
I did go back to Beijós and drove carefully.
Yes the first sign was there, and then another, and the third one that said I love Dao – Casas da Fraga , 50 meters.
I drove one, hey this was the same road I had taken before and now I knew how far 50 meters are. There was no way I was going to make the same mistake again. No way!
Lucky me, there was a couple in their garden, I stopped and asked the man if I should drive ahead to my destination?
No, you should turn left, and he pointed back. I had missed the turn! My GPS knew but I have to change my attitude in the future and do what she tells me, all the time, not just sometimes.
So I arrived and now I recognised everything. There was though a dog which I had not seen before. He looked quite content and sunbathing while I waited for the manager.
It was a beautiful day and my day one of a month’s holiday had arrived. What more could I wish for?
The house is beautiful, I had seen it before and it has everything. Of course I have changed a thing or two, moved a chair and a table.
I brought my own pots and a pan and some food. My car was loaded but I will eat the food and slowly bring back the dirty laundry. I have to go to Penela once a week just to pick up the post and water the flowers. Nothing special, but the dirty laundry will travel with me and wait until I get home in June. Wonderful!
On my way I drove into a huge hole and the seat belt pushed me down, and my back is killing me. I will be ok tomorrow after good nights sleep.
I have already taken my first walk and explored a bit of the neighbourhood.
There is the grapevine which I always find rather ugly!
Then of course someone burning wood, that is ok if people are taking care of the fire and it does not spread.
The dog had found a group of youngsters but they were definitely not his owners and he came back.
During the day I had my doors open and the little one did not enter. He just lay down outside the door and waited.
My friend, the manager, took me sightseeing; we needed to buy a lottery ticket. I saw the beautiful church again and we entered an interesting village. There is a lot to explore around and I am looking forward to it.
Since there are more people staying in the other houses I have to be careful and not practice singing while they are at home. I will figure it out. They cannot be home all the time. They have to explore and then I will practise. Did today before the new guests arrived but have to figure out something tomorrow. Maybe I will be spying on them just to be able to practise!
Well, as you know I am not normal and this will be an adventure, different from other guests.
I will go to bed early, have almost unpacked and found most of what I thought I needed!
Have a great time until tomorrow and enjoy everything that comes your way. There is nothing like the current moment.
Hulda Björnsdóttir
My thoughts shared with you 